I am not Ximen Qing.

Caesar pondered the reasons for the failure of Chen's EducationTalent program. He believed that the development of human society was anti-human nature, absolutely anti-human nature; it wasn't for human happiness, but for human destruction. Humanity was destined for destruction; there was never any such thing as one society liberating another. Where was true liberation and freedom? Everything was concealed beneath the mask of progress in productivity and technological innovation. In reality, beneath the mask of human society, war and peace were forever hidden! This was the essence and true face of human society: war for peace, and peace to await war. The law of contradiction always conformed to the laws of human development.

Caesar was an avid reader of *Capital*, having read it countless times. However, in today's world of AI, big data, cloud algorithms, and Web 3.0, if the world followed Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin genesis protocol—decentralized, distributed underlying blockchain technology, consensus, sharing, node hash value cryptographic algorithms—could Web 3.0 truly realize humanity's shared beliefs? Innovation, creation, freedom, and openness are the common beliefs of Web 3.0, capable of achieving human freedom, freeing us from the hegemony and enslavement of large corporations and commercial institutions. Of course, Caesar also regretted the failure of the GTC project, a virtual digital cryptocurrency. The boom and bubble brought by internet finance also made Caesar realize the enormous sunk costs of failure. During the era of internet finance prosperity, Foshou Company reaped huge commercial profits. Foshou Company wanted to create a new Vipshop, a new Alibaba, a new Amazon. The bubble brought by internet finance drove Foshou Company somewhat mad. Why couldn't it be? Anything is possible, but the internet world is incredibly ruthless. Foshou Company even aspires to create a new Meituan, dreams fueled by internet finance. However, the Web 3.0 community world demands genuine innovation, real world-changing change, and true creation. Success requires a pioneering spirit; imitation and copying will not succeed in Web 3.0. It's completely different from the Web 2.0 world; Web 3.0 demands absolute innovation and creation.

Caesar's partner, Anthony, gave these projects rather appealing names, but the result was the depletion of a large portion of the internet finance bubble. This is the so-called cost of sunk costs in failure. The internet finance bubble was actually a product of luck. In fact, the best direction for Foshou Company to transform itself was to immediately obtain an insurance company license. Suddenly, it was discovered that the internet dividends reaped by luck, which were actually achieved through hard work, innovation, and cultivating various projects, ultimately became nothing more than a means of accumulating sunk costs in failure.

If we peel back the mask of human hypocrisy, what's left? Nature is compassionate, while humanity is greedy. Human development is contradictory, returning to the other shore. But what other shore does humanity truly reach? It's all just empty talk; they haven't actually escaped to the radiant light of the myriad scriptures. Caesar is recording a program where entrepreneurs seem keen on collecting calligraphy, paintings, antiques, jade, and cultural relics. Unlike in the past, when one could directly find rare items buried underground by tomb raiders...

"We have to say something, right?"

Staff at the art center invested in by Caesars Capital wanted Caesars Capital to share his understanding and thoughts on the oil painting hanging on the wall. Although the painting wasn't by a great artist, great painters all begin their journey to greatness from humble beginnings. What if another Van Gogh or another Picasso emerges? A painter's value is built by collectors, much like a female role in Kunqu Opera needs someone to support her, doesn't it?

"This painting takes me back to my childhood, back to the golden childhood on the grassland. My father and grandfather worked hard at Baogang Steel. This painting seems to have a time tunnel that gave me a new life. It is this painting that makes me believe in the meaning of resurrection..."

Caesar then discussed his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his studies in Baotou Steel, then moving to a prestigious university in Beijing to earn his doctorate. He then found love, which to outsiders appeared simple and pure. Next, he partnered with a large oil company, joined Samsung in South Korea, and finally returned to China to start his own business. In the program, Caesar spoke at length about his entrepreneurial struggles in internet finance and the path to success. Caesar's initial intention was undoubtedly good; he wanted to provide financial services to the poor. Only internet finance truly embodies this initial intention of serving the poor. Perhaps it was this initial intention that enabled him to achieve tremendous success in the booming internet finance sector. Of course, striving in internet finance is fraught with risk. Caesar has always maintained a lifelong habit of learning and education. Since graduating from the Daokou Business School, he seemed to have had a sudden enlightenment, a complete awakening on the path of business advancement. Money, on the surface, represents wealth, but its essence is wisdom. The power of money can have a huge backlash. Marx's *Capital* and the Bible's concept of original sin—regardless of anything else, humanity is inherently sinful.

"Caesar, what is the reason for my failure? I didn't waste money on women. Even when I collected Picasso paintings, it was just to gild my image. And that Picasso painting has doubled in value. I didn't make any money in the education talent business, you know that? In the past few years, I have nothing left but empty reputation. And I have been innovating all along. What entrepreneurial spirit do I have? If you want to blame someone, just say I'm a businessman!"

"Have you seen Gone with the Wind? Take a good look at Gone with the Wind."

"Gonewind, right?"

"Look at the American Civil War. Slaves weren't actually freed. Just like Scarlett O'Hara's endless cycle of falling in love with one man after another, Rhett Butler's love for Scarlett was destined for tragedy. What does that prove? I'm just using this movie to express some of my immature thoughts. Think about it, who is truly useful to humanity now? Humans are social animals, like wild dogs and jackals. Yet, humans are hypocritical and 1 times more brutal than those despicable jackals. At least the animal kingdom is more fair and just than human society, isn't it? Humans always think about one group devouring another, just like how society doesn't actually need excessive commercialization. Excessive commercialization leads to the degeneration of human society, turning people into something neither human nor ghost."

"No, it's my own problem; I haven't kept up with the pace of the times."

"Actually, Lao Chen, you didn't fail. There was no innovation or entrepreneurial spirit at all. It was just a microcosm of the Civil War, taking one method but another covert one. What is the final result of technology? Innovation and entrepreneurial spirit? It's the beginning of humanity's true enslavement. Hawking's predictions don't just point to AI. After all, Mr. Hawking, even God is afraid of humanity. He's somewhat like humanity's savior. What else can save humanity?"

"Just kidding, you're not kidding, are you?"

Saving the world has become a topic and slogan for developed countries, but how can we save the world? Mother Earth seems to be running a high fever right now. The US, with Biden and Trump seemingly experiencing the consequences of unpredictable climate change, has seen wildfires, hurricanes, and extreme heat—even turning the Mississippi River into a hot river—followed by frigid extremes. If the US government continues its reckless consumption of oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels, the US might become the first country to disappear from the face of the earth. This isn't alarmist; it aligns with the law of cause and effect. The US simply cannot believe it will become the first country to vanish from the earth.

"Caesar, you're the one who can save me, otherwise I..."

"Old Chen, do you want to repent? But I'm not Christ, otherwise you could drink my blood and gain a new life."

"Why is it so complicated in a normal financial transaction? I don't trust anything. I'm open to any interest rate, any conditions you request, you can specify them in the contract."

"No, no, no, that's not right. Old Chen, what do you take me for? We're still friends, right? You're showing no respect for money, so..."

"Why? To lend or not to lend?"

"Old Chen, you know that project is a bottomless pit. If you stop everything now, you can still make a comeback."

"Make a comeback? Impossible. How can you make a comeback without money?"

"Everyone in the world who is broke thinks the same way you do: does money grow on trees? Does it come from short selling? If you don't change your mindset, spirit, direction, and methods, this isn't about money at all. Money can't save you now; it will only make you sink deeper. Money can't save you now!"

"Money can't save me anymore, what can? You're right. Even if we keep injecting capital now, it will only last a few months, and then it will be the same again. Where did things go wrong? Where did things go wrong?"

"Think about it: what can save you now is neither capital nor money, but a pure mind and soul."

"Yes, I'm having some problems right now. My mind is filled with crazy thoughts, and I just can't control them. No one can save me, no one can save me except myself. But they're making it impossible for me to think normally. Every day is just about money, money, money, money, money, money, money! It's driving me crazy, it's driving me to the brink of collapse. I live like a ghost. Yes, everyone thinks I'm not human, but a ghost. They're all afraid of me now, keeping their distance from me, as if I'm some kind of man-eating monster. What? Do I look like a conman? They say I'm a ghost, a conman, a monster who eats everything in sight. I won't stand for that! Money! Of course, I've enjoyed the benefits of money, but I swear, I've spent almost all of it on developing the company. It's all that bastard Lao Huang's IPO, his packaging and listing. The IPO is just his way of swindling money. I was after the billions that would be born after the IPO, but Lao Huang was after my principal. I can say I've been tricked by the devil, tricked by a vampire."

The problem Lao Chen is facing now is something almost all training companies categorize as a Ponzi scheme. These bubble-like businesses expand relentlessly across the country, regardless of cost, prioritizing cash flow over operational costs or even profits. Survival is everything. Real estate developers face the same issue, albeit one stemming from bank loans. They've finally realized why they're expanding at a loss – at least it's better than borrowing from banks. But once cash flow dries up and the cash flow chain breaks, problems arise. Lao Chen Education Talent is a prime example; the hole keeps widening, and the old method of robbing Peter to pay Paul is no longer effective.

Lao Gao, the perfect gentleman whom all men in this perfect world should respect and envy, was born and raised in Beijing. He spent four years of his university years in the south, enjoying his golden years there, before returning to Beijing to develop his career. Of the four major cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen—Beijing certainly has the deepest historical and cultural heritage. Beijing is becoming increasingly beautiful; beauty alone is insufficient to describe its charm. To put it simply, describing Beijing as a perfect world is not an exaggeration. Those living in Beijing are undoubtedly the happiest people in the world. Even if one cannot leave their soul in Beijing, everything in Beijing is poetic and picturesque, a dream. What dream? Of course, the dream of the Forbidden City! No one can compare to Lao Gao's happiness. Living near Huairou Reservoir, Miyun Reservoir, and Chaobai River, men who enjoy fishing are considered good men. Lao Gao is indeed a family-loving young man from Beijing. Therefore, the CFO, CEO, and other company leaders all admire Lao Gao's style of handling things. What kind of people do bosses like? Lao Gao is the benchmark in their eyes. Lao Gao, who can harmonize life and work perfectly, deserves the crown of the perfect gentleman! Every Saturday and Sunday, Mr. Gao, who loves his family, takes his two children to read, study, play, and enjoy delicious food. His wife is a renowned doctor at a top-tier hospital in Beijing. However, the couple are both Buddhists, and they believe that the Guanyin Bodhisattva at Hongluo Temple is very effective in granting wishes for children. According to Mr. and Mrs. Gao, Guanyin Bodhisattva has been very kind to them, giving them both a son and a daughter. Generally, daughters resemble their fathers, and sons resemble their mothers. What makes Mr. Gao enviable is that although he is not old, he is already a father of two. Nowadays, young people in the city live for the moment and few are willing to have children. However, this perfect model couple could have a third child if they feel the conditions are right. It is said that most families are busy with one child, but Mr. Gao lives a peaceful and happy life with two children. This is completely different from most people his age. For Mr. Gao, this is a way of life, and it is also part of enjoying life.

"My thinking is indeed different from most young people in big cities. I got married immediately after graduation and then had children."

No one is more rational than Lao Gao. It's impossible to fathom his innermost thoughts. He's a perfect good man, a perfect gentleman who has never had any scandals or romantic encounters. Perhaps influenced by Caesar, he believes that if you want more money, you must stay away from women. Mr. Caesar is a complete workaholic. You can't find a trace of scandal in him. Why does he spend all day racking his brains, searching for and discovering loopholes in the Buddha's Hand Company and the entire world's financial system? Shorting this world like Michael Barry, a world of mutual devouring, is full of traps, meat grinders, hidden within the framework of law, a legal and legitimate form of plunder. Caesar is fed up with the constant harassing phone calls, insurance salesmen, every major insurance company trying to sell him an insurance policy. The world is too greedy. Technological advancements only make humanity more greedy and degenerate. When artificial intelligence (AI) innovates and science and technology advance, it doesn't bring humanity well-being and happiness, but rather more greed—living in a world where money never sleeps, a world where real estate never sleeps, a world of various internet finance schemes. The poet's director died; the illness that caused her premature death is unclear. She slept soundly one night, and the next morning her lover found her lifeless. The director no longer needed to desperately sell insurance policies every day; she was free. Without any pain, she quietly left human society.

Caesar probably hadn't expected his assistant, Lao Gao, to resign. Caesar was genuinely shocked. Working with Lao Gao had been incredibly stressful, a cry from hell. Don't misunderstand, the human world is actually worse than hell, isn't it? The world is full of beggars driving BMWs and Mercedes. Sometimes, people are so poor that all they have left are BMWs, houses, villas, and even burial plots—they just don't have money. Even the godfathers of their gangs sometimes go hungry. That's when internet finance gives them dignity. Lao Gao was the perfect assistant, constantly dealing with poverty and the ghosts behind it. Eventually, he became like them, neither human nor ghost. He no longer had to live that inhuman existence. The high-achieving student left Foshou Company in tears—how reluctant he was to leave such a company! But those weren't tears of sadness, but tears of happiness. Finally, he didn't have to deal with the poor anymore. Being with ghosts will turn you into a ghost yourself.

"If you don't like the environment at the new company, you're welcome to come back anytime."

If there is even the slightest hope of survival, never come back.